Andy Murray’s historic win in the Wimbledon final was the most-watched television broadcast of the year in Great Britain, the BBC has reported. A peak audience of 17.3 million tuned in for Murray’s three-set win over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, shattering the earlier record for 2012.

At peak viewership, 79.6 percent of all televisions in use were tuned to the final. An average 12.1 million UK viewers watched the full match for a 73 percent share. In Murray’s home country of Scotland, the peak audience of 1.9 million represented a 90 percent share of all televisions in use.

Before Sunday, the most-watched TV programme in the United Kingdom of 2013 had been the final of Britain’s Got Talent, with an average of 11.1 million viewers and a 13.1 million peak.

In related news, advertising executives have said that Murray’s effort to become the first British men's Wimbledon champion in 77 years could earn him anywhere from $12 million a year to a jaw-dropping $74 million a year in endorsements. “The sky really is the limit for him,” branding consultant Jonathan Gabay told Bloomberg News.

Andy Murray’s historic win in the Wimbledon final was the most-watched television broadcast of the year in Great Britain, the BBC has reported. A peak audience of 17.3 million tuned in for Murray’s three-set win over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, shattering the earlier record for 2012.

At peak viewership, 79.6 percent of all televisions in use were tuned to the final. An average 12.1 million UK viewers watched the full match for a 73 percent share. In Murray’s home country of Scotland, the peak audience of 1.9 million represented a 90 percent share of all televisions in use.

Before Sunday, the most-watched TV programme in the United Kingdom of 2013 had been the final of Britain’s Got Talent, with an average of 11.1 million viewers and a 13.1 million peak.

In related news, advertising executives have said that Murray’s effort to become the first British men's Wimbledon champion in 77 years could earn him anywhere from $12 million a year to a jaw-dropping $74 million a year in endorsements. “The sky really is the limit for him,” branding consultant Jonathan Gabay told Bloomberg News.

I do hope though that Andy does get more endorsements now. Similar things were said after he won the USO but as I understand it the response was virtually nil. I can't believe though that his Wimbledon win won't attract quite a few.

I don't believe for a second the response was nil. Just because Andy didn't take up offers doesn't mean there weren't any there. Andy's a canny lad, and he cares more about the tennis than the deals, so he is very careful about what he does, and will only accept an offer if it suits his terms.

It's not like he needs any more endorsements anyway. I have nothing against him making hay while the sun shines and all that, but I really admire that he doesn't just chase the money. There's only so much you can do with the money, and there comes a point where his time and energy is more valuable.

TBH Aileen I don't think Andy would enjoy the responsibilities that came with all these endorsments. I mean can you imagine him swatting a fly with a Wilson Racket and balls, or looking like a complete goon whilst 'playing' poker?

TBH Aileen I don't think Andy would enjoy the responsibilities that came with all these endorsments. I mean can you imagine him swatting a fly with a Wilson Racket and balls, or looking like a complete goon whilst 'playing' poker?

Actualy, the flyswatting would probably appeal to his sense of humour. Didn't really fit with Feds persona though, did it?

TBH Aileen I don't think Andy would enjoy the responsibilities that came with all these endorsments. I mean can you imagine him swatting a fly with a Wilson Racket and balls, or looking like a complete goon whilst 'playing' poker?

From a Guardian article:

...But, as with his tennis, the sometimes bloody minded Murray will deal with the commercial side of his career only on his own terms.

"He's beaten the system. He's done it in his own way. He's so pure in that respect. He's a purist in the way he plays and in his knowledge of tennis. He is so unbelievably in love with tennis. He is tough to market around as a result," said Steve Martin, chief executive of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment........

....Murray has at times driven his agents to distraction through his obsessive focus on the task at hand, refusing to sign up to anything that he is not comfortable with or that might compromise his training or disrupt his routine. He has turned down a string of lucrative deals either because they make him feel uncomfortable or because they do not fit in with his schedule.

....But Murray will always put his tennis first. And, paradoxically, some see his determination to focus on his sport and largely eschew the trappings of sporting celebrity as commercially beneficial in the long-term. Perhaps he is not so different from Beckham after all.

"My personal view is that he is carving out a completely separate niche for himself," said one of his sponsors. "He is unique and he has done it on his own terms. The turnaround is extraordinary. The only comparable swing in public opinion I can think of is Beckham himself."

Great article Elena and it just goes to show that Andy can't be 'bought'! No doubt he may take on something he believes in if it comes along though! Lovely to hear him being likened to Beckham as well.......another great sportsman and another lovely guy! Thanks for sharing that!

Great article Elena and it just goes to show that Andy can't be 'bought'! No doubt he may take on something he believes in if it comes along though! Lovely to hear him being likened to Beckham as well.......another great sportsman and another lovely guy! Thanks for sharing that!

Yes, lovely article - wasn't sure if it had already been posted.

A friend posted on facebook a couple of weeks ago that husband and son had just returned from school sports day. Husband hadn't realised for about 15 mins that the guy he was sitting next to on the grass was David Beckham! He hadn't realised DB was quite so tattooed, but also expected DB to have an aura, or minders or both. Others commented he was really sweet and patient with everybody wanting photos etc. Sounds familiar! He didn't win the dad's race apparently!

Haha.......That's a lovely story too Elena! I've always loved and admired David for his professionalism and his somewhat shy manner.....just like Andy, so now we know he's kind and patient as well! I wonder if perhaps he didn't 'try too hard' in the dad's race! There couldn't have been many dad's as fit as he is there!

For once there were no tears. Instead, Andy Murray and Sue Barker shared a moment of pure joy on Centre Court last week. For Murray, it was his greatest day. For Barker, the pinnacle of what has become an extraordinary career in broadcasting.

‘It was absolutely fantastic, the greatest day I’ve had in broadcasting,’ says Barker from her home in the Cotswolds.

‘Tennis is in my heart and blood and I’d never thought I’d see that. Last year at the Olympics, I walked away from the Park thinking ‘I’m never again going to experience the joy I’ve just felt in the past three weeks’. And then this happened. It was without a doubt the greatest sporting event I have witnessed.’

Few would disagree and for Barker and Murray it was quite the contrast to the tears that followed the 2012 defeat by Roger Federer and their conversation about the Dunblane shooting during the pre-Wimbledon BBC documentary.

‘Andy said to me that every time he sees me he cries,’ says Barker with a chuckle. ‘In that documentary, it really surprised me.

'When he talked about Dunblane, I was looking over at our producer saying ‘please stop this’. I wanted them to cut and she kept shaking her head.

'I think she knew that deep down he wanted to say it whereas I was thinking how awful it was. No-one realised just how much it affected him and Jamie. You can understand why he hasn’t talked about it before.

But maybe in the documentary he could think more about it than in a press conference, take his time. And he was in his home with his dogs there. It was so moving. He’s such an amazing young man.’

Part of being ‘amazing’ was of course that straight sets win over Novak Djokovic on Sunday, something Barker feels has made Murray the best player on the tour.

‘I’ve been doing it for so many years now that I don’t feel nervous professionally. But that last game was nerve-wracking. I was in a small room courtside with the American television and I was so nervous for him.

'It was then such a pleasure to go out on court and say those words. It was incredibly special to be on Centre Court and be part of it.

'To tell a global audience it’s been 77 years and here you go was fantastic. You could see how much of a haze he was in. I can understand why he couldn’t remember much of what happened near the end.

'He didn’t know whose hands he was slapping or where his mum was. He couldn’t take in the enormity of it all.

‘He is just an extraordinary player and athlete. The manner in which he won, beating the world No 1, was awesome. He holds two of the Grand Slams and the Olympic gold.

'He’s the one everyone needs to beat now. I know he’ll manage his body and career now with regards to how many tournaments he plays so No 1 might take a bit longer.

'But you are always remembered for how many Slams you win, not weeks at No 1. If he carries on the way he’s going, there are many more to come.

‘Because I got to know the whole team — and they are normally very private — it did make it extra special.

'I spent time with him in Miami, watched him train, the gym. I’ve interviewed him so many times but it was nice to talk about other things rather than always having a microphone on.

'He’s such a nice guy and I have huge respect for him. Him, Kim, his family - it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch of people.’

--------------------------------

So what chances of Barker ever interviewing another victorious British man at Wimbledon in the future?

‘I don’t see it at the moment but I didn’t see it in Andy. He was an amazing 17-year-old but if you’d said to me ‘is he going to be a future world No 1?’ - which he will be — I’d have said he was going to be a top 20 player.

'Someone from the LTA should, if Andy’s willing, make a video of how hard you have to train to become a Grand Slam champion. It blew my mind how hard he works.

'Some players came out to train with him and they couldn’t walk after three days. It would be great to show British hopefuls the sort of training they will need to do. Not everyone will want to do it. Some might settle for being in the top 200 or wherever. It’s important to show kids what it takes.’

...But, as with his tennis, the sometimes bloody minded Murray will deal with the commercial side of his career only on his own terms.

"He's beaten the system. He's done it in his own way. He's so pure in that respect. He's a purist in the way he plays and in his knowledge of tennis. He is so unbelievably in love with tennis. He is tough to market around as a result," said Steve Martin, chief executive of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment........

....Murray has at times driven his agents to distraction through his obsessive focus on the task at hand, refusing to sign up to anything that he is not comfortable with or that might compromise his training or disrupt his routine. He has turned down a string of lucrative deals either because they make him feel uncomfortable or because they do not fit in with his schedule.

....But Murray will always put his tennis first. And, paradoxically, some see his determination to focus on his sport and largely eschew the trappings of sporting celebrity as commercially beneficial in the long-term. Perhaps he is not so different from Beckham after all.

"My personal view is that he is carving out a completely separate niche for himself," said one of his sponsors. "He is unique and he has done it on his own terms. The turnaround is extraordinary. The only comparable swing in public opinion I can think of is Beckham himself."

And THAT is the reason I can't see him taking part in Bhupathi's crazy scheme of the other top players trotting round India and Asia in the off-season playing in what is nothing more than a travelling tennis circus in order to earn a fast buck.